10th Global Murals Conference in 2016 heads to New York on Erie Canal & Lyons

US SENATOR GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCES 2016 GLOBAL MURAL CONVENTION TO COME TO LYONS & ERIE CANAL

International Convention will highlight wide range of Murals and Public Art around the Historic Erie Canal

from Washington, DC – After standing along the Erie Canal in Macedon last week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the 2016 Global Mural Convention will be held along the historic Erie Canal, highlighting a wide range of murals and public art.

“This is great news for the Finger Lakes Region and for everyone along the Erie Canal Corridor,” Senator Gillibrand said. “From Buffalo to Wayne County, where we stand today, and up to Lake Champlain, the Erie Canal continues to fuel our economy and provide New Yorkers with miles of adventure and endless recreation. This convention will bring welcome attention to the wealth of murals along the Erie Canal, as well as highlight everything that the region has to offer. It will bring together international, national, and local artists and give greater visibility to the talented artists in the area. The conference will encourage community discussion about how the arts can help to narrate the story of the Erie Canal and showcase our history in unique ways.”

“The Erie Canal Corridor came out on top because the presentation put forth by Mural Mania inspired us. We asked ourselves: ‘Will what this community has to offer teach us something new?’ And the answer was a resounding yes. This location was chosen because we wanted to learn about all that this region has to offer, and we are excited to aid in the revitalization of the canal corridor. The Global Mural Conference will bring enthusiasm about the arts to Western New York and inspire even greater creativity in the area in the future,” said Baron Gordon Prestoungrange, President of the Global Mural Association.

“Mural Mania is honored to be selected to host the Global Mural Conference in 2016, and this privilege has been made possible by the support of the community over the past seven years. The success of Mural Mania is due to the collaboration of our Erie Canal communities, who have painted historic murals to highlight our heritage,” said Mark Decracker, Founder of Mural Mania. “ Also, a special thank you to Senator Gillibrand for her conference in Macedon supporting Mural Mania’s proposal to host the Global Mural Conference in 2016, and to all those who offered letters of support for this project.”

“Hosting the 2016 Global Mural Conference in the Finger Lakes region will be a great opportunity for all the area municipalities to bring the history of the Erie Canal to life. This will not only give us an opportunity to showcase the talented artists in our region, but also to demonstrate the historical significance of the Erie Canalway National Corridor. Art brings our community together and allows visitors to learn more about the history that surrounds them,” said Macedon Mayor, Marie Cramer.

“The announcement that our region will host the Global Murals Conference in 2016 is great news for our entire area. The Erie Canal was critical to our nation’s growth and development, and to the prosperity of the communities in the canal corridor. Mural Mania originated in Wayne County from a conversation between Mark DeCracker and the late Noel Dobbins in 2007. The Lyons men took their vision and turned it into a reality, and Mural Mania has since benefited communities from Macedon to Camillus,” said Assemblyman Bob Oaks. “The numerous murals in our towns, villages, and hamlets highlight the history of the Canal. Murals on this historic waterway will be showcased at the conference, as well as those depicting other historical events important to our region.”

Earlier in August, Senator Gillibrand urged the 2016 Global Mural Convention to come to the historic Erie Canal, which stretches from Albany, New York, to Buffalo. "The Global Mural Conference will bring welcome attention to the wealth of murals along the canal and will showcase our communities and the talented artists who have helped to revitalize this region. The conference is open to participants of all backgrounds, and is intended as both a showcase of local murals and a time for dialogue and discussion. The arts offer a new way to promote economic growth and tourism in upstate New York, and to reinvigorate areas of the canal that have fallen into decay. Participants and local residents alike will be encouraged to view both the historical and the aesthetic qualities of the Erie Canal from a new perspective".

The submission by Mark Decracker to the Global Association was successful from a short list of three when Members met last week in Sherbrooke Quebec for their 9th Biennial Conference.

Today, the Erie Canal continues to be both a global and a local economic driver here in upstate New York. Rich with history and natural beauty, the Canal serves as one of New York’s largest tourism magnets and provides endless recreational opportunities to area residents. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor works closely with the New York State Canal Corporation and I LOVE NY to promote the revitalization of the 524-mile stretch.

The Association's banner was formally handed to Mark Decracker by Serge Malenfant at the closing ceremony of the 9th Conference in Sherbrooke 2014 seen below.